Off to 3-1 start after Watertown victory
Published October 23, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ varsity soccer team is off to one of their strongest starts ever after a key league win over Watertown on October 17 at Arsenal Field in Watertown. Melrose topped the Raiders, 3-0, to improve to 3-1 on the season as they now enter play against Wakefield this week—games that could tilt the ML Freedom League in their favor.
Scoring for Melrose on Saturday was Andrea Mortimer, Shelagh Downes, and Jenna Maguire. Earning the win at the net was goalie Jocelyn Skane.
Melrose got on board in the first quarter when Mortimer scored on a rebound shot to put Melrose up 1-0. Melrose kept that lead despite several scoring chances from Watertown, thanks to some lights-out defensive work at the net by goalie Jocelyn Skane. She had two critical saves in the first half that fended off the offense. “Without those saves, the game could have easily gone the other way,” said Melrose coach Rob Mahoney after the game.
Scoring next for Melrose was Shailah Downes towards the end of the third, which gave Melrose a 2-0 lead they wouldn’t surrender. With ten minutes left in the fourth, Jenna Macguire scored the third and final goal of the game, sealing the shutout for Melrose.
Coach Mahoney credits the team’s solid defense for putting them in the driver’s seat. “Jenna Champagne, Ali MacGuire, Katherine Carney, and Lucy Hannon continue to be the mainstay and they get few breaks coming off the field.” Mahoney points to the efforts of Kaleigh Donovan, who is rotating in to help the defensive cause. Together, with Skane and backup goalie Ava Tormo, they’ve helped limit Melrose to giving up just 3 goals in 4 games. “I like what I’m seeing,” says Mahoney. “We’re controlling play and really owned possession against Watertown. And prior to this, I think beating a competitive team like Stoneham twice was a great way to start.”
Given the modified rules of the games, it’s only natural that Melrose (and other league teams) will experience some hiccups along the way, but these girls are adjusting to the game smoothly. “There are a couple of miscues, like a throw-in that’s supposed to be a kick in, but the refs have been good about managing it,” says Mahoney. “It changes the dynamic to some extent because we want to focus on quick restarts, but when refs measure players for distance before a kick in, it can slow the game down. We’ll get over it.”
Judging by their record, that is hardly a problem. “We’re playing very composed and showing strategy,” says Mahoney.
Next up, two critical games against rival Wakefield. Should they win, Melrose will improve to 5-1 and be in a great position to battle Wilmington (3-0) for a crack at a long sought after league title. “That is absolutely our goal and we think we can do it,” says Mahoney. “I think the next few games will paint a picture.” They play Wakefield this Saturday morning at Galvin Middle School in Wakefield at 9:00 a.m.
